Is the subjunctive require after the phrase "Es probable que..."?

Question

I know you use the subjunctive following "Es improbable que..." to express doubt or uncertainty. However, I my textbook use the subjunctive after "Es probable que...". This doesn't seem write as "probable" seems to express certainty and would take the indicative after it instead of the subjunctive. Probable (likely) seems to be the opposite of improbable (unlikely). Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

Welcome to the forum. Yours it's a great question.

Es improbable or Es probable both leave room for chance, hence the need for the subjunctive in Spanish. Do not let the translation throw you off (It's probable or improbable). What counts here is the actual concept...A conjecture about a fact that may or may not occur.

I hope this helps.